Advice on looking for a team

Lynn Bruton- Owsiany · Aug 25, 2014

Hello. My daughter is trying to find a spot on a 12u team for tournament ball. She is by no means a stud player but is an average player. Problem is, I can't find a travel team for her. She just wants to do more than rec ball. I can't seem to find a B/C level team that she can get on. She does work hard and puts in extra time in lessons. We are in SE PA. At this point I'm thinking we have to wait until next year.

JJsqueeze · Aug 25, 2014

When you watch her at tryouts what are you seeing that she needs to work on? Trying out is a skill unto itself and sometimes players just don't show well but with a little tryout training can be more appealing to coaches looking for players. Even if she is not the most highly skilled player, if she gets after it at a workout she will find a home just on hustle. All coaches will be impressed by the kid that gets dirty, listens well, runs hard and asks for extra reps if they make a mistake. They may not have a spot but they might know someone or it will set the stage for being a replacement later in the season if needed.

FP26 · Aug 25, 2014

Look through the youth forum on PA Softball. there are teams in that area looking for players. I noticed several posts from a team in Horsham.

canyonjoe · Aug 25, 2014

If your DD is interested in it, ask one of the existing teams if she can practice with them. They might charge you a small fee for facilities, but it's often an in with a team. Even if you never make that team, if your DD listens to the coaches she will get better. It is hard to practice and not play, but if they ever need a guest player she might be the one. I have yet to meet a coach that doesn't want to see a kid who hustles, listens, and is willing to work to improve and want them to find a team to play on.

PA SB Dad · Aug 25, 2014

Send me a PM and I can send you some links where teams are posting. I also know a lot of coaches who are looking for one or two players. It is still early in the process, so coaches think they are still going to stumble across a great player that comes out of nowhere. Reality usually sets in early to mid-September, and they begin to take a second look at players they turned down before.

Just because you don't make in team in August, don't think you have to wait until next year. There are always teams that are looking for one or two more, especially in SE PA.

marriard · Aug 25, 2014

PA SB Dad said:
Just because you don't make in team in August, don't think you have to wait until next year. There are always teams that are looking for one or two more, especially in SE PA.

That goes for everywhere. Once the 'known quality player' pool dries up and some coaches are looking at an end roster of 8, then they start revisiting players they didn't want at first glance. Keep in contact with teams, see if you can join a practice or two and turn up at the first tournament of the year and identify the teams with short or no bench and you will find a home for your DD soon enough.

Advice on looking for a team

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Lynn Bruton- Owsiany

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend

FP26

canyonjoe

PA SB Dad

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am

Similar threads

Latest posts

Staff online

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page

Online statistics

Forum statistics